Factors affecting the extrusion rate of ventilation tubes

Safety, tolerability, and effect of a single aural dose of Dornase alfa at the time of ventilation tube surgery for otitis media: A Phase 1b double randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

One third of children require repeat ventilation tube insertion (VTI) for otitis media. Disease recurrence is associated with persistent middle ear bacterial biofilms. With demonstration that Dornase alfa (a DNase) disrupts middle ear effusion biofilms ex vivo, we identified potential for this as an anti-biofilm therapy to prevent repeat VTI. First, safety and tolerability needed to be measured.

METHODS

This was a phase 1B double-blinded randomized control trial conducted in Western Australia. Children between 6 months and 5 years undergoing VTI for bilateral middle ear effusion were recruited between 2012 and 2014 and followed for two years. Children's ears were randomized to receive either Dornase alfa (1 mg/mL) or 0.9 % sodium chloride (placebo) at time of surgery. Children were followed up at 2 weeks post-VTI and at 3-monthly intervals for 2 years. Outcomes assessed were: 1) safety and tolerability, 2) otorrhoea frequency, 3) blocked or extruded ventilation tube (VT) frequency, 4) time to blockage or extrusion, 5) time to infection recurrence and/or need for repeat VTI.

RESULTS

Sixty children (mean age 2.3 years) were enrolled with 87 % reaching study endpoint. Treatment did not change otorrhoea frequency. Hearing improved in all children following VTI, with no indication of ototoxicity. Dornase alfa had some effect on increasing time until VT extrusion (p = 0.099); and blockage and/or extrusion (p = 0.122). Frequency of recurrence and time until recurrence were similar. Fourteen children required repeat VTI within the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

A single application of Dornase alfa into the middle ear at time of VTI was safe, non-ototoxic, and well-tolerated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12623000504617.

Analysis of Paparella Type 1 tympanostomy tubes in pediatric patients: A single-center retrospective review

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the demographic characteristics, indications for surgery, clinical follow-up results and complication rates of pediatric patients who have received a Paparella Type 1 tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion.

METHODS

Retropective review of 816 ears of 442 pediatric patients who received Paparella type 1 tympanostomy tube insertions was performed. The patients' age, indication for surgery, middle ear effusion, time to extrusion and postoperative complications were analyzed retrospectively. Ears operated for chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) were included in the study. Ears that underwent tympanostomy tube insertion for middle ear atelectasis and suppurative complications of acute otitis media were excluded from the study. Ears with middle ear effusion mucoid and serous were included. Ears without middle ear effusion or with purulent effusion were excluded from the study. Patients with a cleft palate, Down syndrome, craniofacial anomalies and those without regular follow-up until their tubes were extruded, were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

The mean age of surgery was 5.11 years. 54.3 % of the patients were male and 45.7 % were female. 734 (90 %) tube insertions were performed for patients with COME and 82 (10 %) for those with RAOM. Mucoid middle ear effusion was observed in 86.9 % and serous in 13.1 %. The mean extrusion time of the tubes was 7.16 months. 93.1 % of the tubes were extruded spontaneously within 1 year and 99.9 % within 2 years. Postoperative complications of patients that were included were 8.7 % with otorrhea, 7.7 % premature extrusion, 8.2 % tube occlusion, 0.2 % displacement into the middle ear, 8.2 % tympanic membrane changes (5.4 % sclerosis, 2.3 % retraction and 0.5 % atrophy), 1.2 % permanent perforation, 0.1 % cholesteatoma and 0.1 % retained their tube. Premature extrusion was found to be significantly higher in the RAOM group compared with the COME group (p = 0.042). Tube extrusion time did not affect tympanic membrane changes (p = 0.061).

CONCLUSIONS

Complication rates after Paparella Type 1 tube insertion are low. The incidence of complications such as otorrhea and tube occlusion were not significantly different between the indication and middle ear effusion groups. Compared to COME group, premature extrusion were found more frequently in the RAOM group. Complications of displacement into the middle ear, permanent perforation, cholesteatoma and retained tube were much rarer.

How long do tympanostomy ventilation tubes last in pediatric patients with otitis media with effusion or adhesion? A study using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional duration and survival rate of tympanostomy ventilation tubes and the complications associated with their use in pediatric patients who underwent tube insertion for otitis media with effusion (OME). Complications were analyzed including recurrence and tympanic membrane perforation after the tube removal or extrusion.

METHODS

Altogether, 447 ears from 234 pediatric patients younger than 15 years of age were studied retrospectively. All patients had undergone long-term tympanostomy ventilation tube: the Goode T-tube insertion for OME at the Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, which is the pediatrics specialty hospital between April 2014 and March 2016. They were typically followed up every 3-4 months or more frequently if necessary due to otorrhea or tube infection. Subsequently, the tube duration, survival rates of the tube especially at 22 months after insertion defined as "full-term placement", and the rates of recurrence and perforation were calculated and statistically evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 447 ears, 335 ears from 184 patients underwent their first tube insertion, and 112 ears from 64 patients underwent their second or subsequent tube insertion within the targeted period. Two hundred ears from 106 patients were associated with a cleft palate. The survival rate at full-term placement was 51.7%. The recurrence rate was 56.3%, and the rate of the tympanic perforation was 8.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately half of the tubes survived for 22 months. The perforation rate was relatively low; however, recurrence of OME was seen in more than half the ears.

Predictors of tympanostomy tube extrusion time in otitis media with effusion

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact and predictors of tympanostomy tube (TT) extrusion.

METHODS

A retrospective study on 258 ears underwent TT insertion during 2016-2018 at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were followed for 36-48 months postoperatively to detect the recurrence rate. The sample was divided into 2 groups based on extrusion time and were compared to determine the predictors of TT extrusion.

RESULTS

Otitis media with effusion (OME) recurrence after TT insertion was detected in 28.7%. A shorter TT extrusion time was associated with a higher recurrence (p=0.002). Small TTs increased the probability of early TT extrusion (odds ratio = 5.144; 95% confidence interval: [1.602-16.519]).

CONCLUSION

More than one-fourth of the patients who underwent TT insertion for OME developed recurrence. Tympanostomy tube extrusion earlier than 12 months was associated with a higher recurrence rate. Small TTs increased the probability of early TT extrusion.

Outcome of the 'waiting until spontaneous extrusion' strategy for long-term tympanostomy tube placement in children with cleft palate

BACKGROUND

Otitis media with effusion (OME) in children with cleft palate (CP) is known to be refractory to treatment and most of these patients undergo surgery for ventilation tube (VT) placement.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the outcomes of children with CP using long-term VT with a 'waiting until spontaneous extrusion' strategy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all children with CP who visited our department from December 2016 to November 2017 and who received long-term VT placement in our department. Risk factors related to residual perforation and recurrence of OME were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 106 children were included in this study. Our statistical analysis of 94 ears followed for more than three months after VT loss revealed that longer VT placement was associated with residual perforation, and shorter VT placement was associated with OME recurrence. Although a longer duration of VT placement was associated with an increased rate, extremely long-term VT placement was not associated with residual perforation, as expected. Half of the VTs were spontaneously extruded at 40 months after insertion.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

Long-term VT insertion using a waiting until spontaneous extrusion strategy is a potential option for children with CP.

Factors Related to Ventilation Tube Extrusion Time in Children and Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting extrusion time in both children and adults with ventilation tube (VT) insertion, providing useful information for clinicians for better decision-making, follow strategy, and potentially improve clinical outcomes for these patients.

METHODS

Data from patients receiving myringotomy with VT insertion from January 1, 2007, to June 30, 2012, were retrospectively collected and analyzed by the end of 2018. Various factors, including age, gender, history of VT insertion, tympanogram, size of VT used, local finding of tympanic membrane, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and postoperative ear infection, were included and analyzed to examine the effects of these factors on extrusion time.

RESULTS

A total of 447 patients were included in this study (Child group-Adult group = 237:210). The overall average extrusion time was 225.85 days. In the subgroup analysis, the average time was 221.3 days and 231.0 days for children and adults, respectively. The results showed that the VT extrusion time was significantly longer in participants without a history of VT insertion and in those where larger sized VTs were inserted in both age-groups. Male gender had an influence on extrusion time in children. In addition, a history of VT insertion and VT size were determined to be factors related to extrusion before 12 months in children.

CONCLUSION

History of VT insertion and VT size were significantly related to VT extrusion time in both children and adults and defined as factors associated with extrusion before 12 months in children. The findings suggest avoiding VT with a diameter < 1 mm and considering an appropriately larger size in patients with a history of VT insertion to optimize VT retention.

The relationship between the tympanostomy tube extrusion time and viscosity

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to assess the correlation between the tympanostomy tube extrusion time and the viscosity of the middle ear fluid.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients who were scheduled for a tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion were included in the study. During the paracentesis procedure, fluid from the middle ear was obtained, and the viscosity was measured with a viscometer. Patients with effusion values below and above the median viscosity value of 439 cP (cP) were assigned to Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. After the surgery, the patients were followed up monthly until the tubes were observed to be extruded.

RESULTS

The analysis of the correlation between the tube extrusion time and the viscosity was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The mean tube extrusion time of Group 1 (12.65 ± 4.152 months) was slightly lower than that of Group 2 (13.81 ± 4.43 months); however, the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The tube extrusion time can be longer or shorter and is independent of the effusion viscosity. Further studies are needed to clarify the factors that affect the TT extrusion time.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03848026.

In-Office Tympanostomy Tube Placement Using Iontophoresis and Automated Tube Delivery Systems

OBJECTIVES

(1) To evaluate safety, tolerability, and technical success of lidocaine iontophoresis and a tympanostomy tube placement system for adults in an office setting and (2) to meet regulatory evidence requirements for new drugs and devices.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, multicenter, single arm.

SETTING

Patients were recruited in 8 community-based practices in the United States between June and September 2017.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study evaluated tympanic membrane anesthesia and tube placement in 30 adults. Anesthesia was achieved via iontophoresis of a lidocaine/epinephrine solution. Tube placement was conducted using an integrated myringotomy and tube delivery system. Tolerability of tube placement was measured using a patient-reported visual analog scale from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst possible pain). Mean pain score was compared to a performance goal of 45 mm, where statistical superiority represents mild pain or less. Technical success and safety through 3 weeks postprocedure were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine (29/30, 96.7%) patients had tube(s) successfully placed in all indicated ears. One patient demonstrated inadequate tympanic membrane anesthesia, and no tube placement was attempted. The mean (SD) pain score of 9.4 (15.7) mm was statistically superior to the performance goal. There were no serious adverse events. Seven nonserious events were related to device, procedure, or drug: inadequate anesthesia (1), vertigo (1), and dizziness (1) at the time of procedure and ear discomfort (1), tube occlusion (2), and medial tube migration (1) postprocedure.

CONCLUSION

Lidocaine iontophoresis provides acceptable tympanic membrane anesthesia for safe, tolerable, and successful in-office tube placement using an integrated myringotomy and tube delivery system.

Analysis of factors associated with multiple ventilation tube insertions in children with otitis media with effusion

Objective

To determine the factors related to multiple ventilation tube insertions in children with otitis media with effusion.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 126 ears of 81 children aged less than 12 years who had undergone insertion of a Paparella type 1 ventilation tube for the first time between August 2012 and March 2018.

Results

Mean age at the first operation was 4.0 ± 2.2 years, and the mean duration of otitis media with effusion before the first ventilation tube insertion was 5.4 ± 4.5 months. Among 126 ears, 80 (63.5 per cent) had a single ventilation tube insertion and 46 (36.5 per cent) had multiple insertions. On multivariate logistic regression, tympanic membrane retraction, serous middle-ear discharge, and early recurrence of otitis media with effusion were independent predictive factors of multiple ventilation tube insertions.

Conclusion

Tympanic membrane retraction, serous middle-ear discharge, and early recurrence of otitis media with effusion after the first tube extrusion are associated with multiple ventilation tube insertions.

WITHDRAWN: Grommets (ventilation tubes) for recurrent acute otitis media in children

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 4, 2008 and previously updated in 2011.Acute suppurative otitis media is one of the most common infectious diseases in childhood. Recurrent acute otitis media is defined for the purposes of this review as either three or more acute infections of the middle ear cleft in a six-month period, or at least four episodes in a year. Strategies for managing the condition include the assessment and modification of risk factors where possible, repeated courses of antibiotics for each new infection, antibiotic prophylaxis and the insertion of ventilation tubes (grommets).

OBJECTIVES

To establish whether grommet insertion reduces the frequency of episodes of recurrent acute otitis media and the proportion of symptomatic children.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group (CENTDG) Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the CENTDG Trials Register; Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2014, Issue 10); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; Clinicaltrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 6 November 2014.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing grommet insertion versus control (antibiotics/other treatments/no treatment) for recurrent acute otitis media in children aged from 0 to 16 years.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected studies. Three authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. We synthesised data descriptively.

MAIN RESULTS

Two randomised controlled trials with a total of 148 participants are included in this review. The overall risk of bias in the studies is unclear.The first study randomised 95 children to grommets or control (antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media episodes). For the primary outcome, this study showed that grommet insertion leads to a mean reduction of 1.5 episodes of acute otitis media in the first six months after treatment. In six months of follow-up significantly more children in the grommet group had no episodes of acute otitis media (P value < 0.001). Complications of surgery included grommet blockage with acute otitis media requiring re-operation within six months in 3/54 children who underwent grommet insertion. Adverse effects were not documented in the control group. The following pre-defined secondary outcomes were not reported: change in symptom scores for otalgia or otorrhoea, alteration in the frequency of otalgia or otorrhoea, and number of days at nursery or school lost secondary to acute otitis media.The second study reported on 53 of 68 children who were randomised to grommet insertion or six months of once a day sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim antibiotic prophylaxis. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome, number of episodes of acute otitis media, during the six-month follow-up between grommet insertion and antibiotic treatment groups (64.5% in the surgical group versus 45.4% in the antibiotic group had no recurrence, P value = 0.4). Two participants underwent grommet re-insertion to replace extruded tubes during the follow-up period. The only other adverse effect reported was the development of a skin rash in two patients in the medical group. Other pre-defined secondary outcome measures were not reported. The study has a high risk of bias and the results should be interpreted cautiously.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Grommets significantly increase the number of acute otitis media-free children in the first six months after insertion compared to children who receive no treatment. Grommet insertion maybe of equivalent efficacy to once a day antibiotic prophylaxis. Further research is required to confirm the advantage of grommets over no treatment, investigate the effect beyond six months, compare grommet effectiveness against alternative active treatments and confirm the low risk of adverse effects compared to no treatment and all active treatments in recurrent acute otitis media. In the interim clinicians should consider the possible adverse effects of grommet insertion and alternative treatments before recommending surgery.

Noninvasive in vivo optical coherence tomography tracking of chronic otitis media in pediatric subjects after surgical intervention

In an institutional review board-approved study, 25 pediatric subjects diagnosed with chronic or recurrent otitis media were observed over a period of six months with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Subjects were followed throughout their treatment at the initial patient evaluation and preoperative consultation, surgery (intraoperative imaging), and postoperative follow-up, followed by an additional six months of records-based observation. At each time point, the tympanic membrane (at the light reflex region) and directly adjacent middle-ear cavity were observed in vivo with a handheld OCT probe and portable system. Imaging results were compared with clinical outcomes to correlate the clearance of symptoms in relation to changes in the image-based features of infection. OCT images of most all participants showed the presence of additional infection-related biofilm structures during their initial consultation visit and similarly for subjects imaged intraoperatively before myringotomy. Subjects with successful treatment (no recurrence of infectious symptoms) had no additional structures visible in OCT images during the postoperative visit. OCT image findings suggest surgical intervention consisting of myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement provides a means to clear the middle ear of infection-related components, including middle-ear fluid and biofilms. Furthermore, OCT was demonstrated as a rapid diagnostic tool to prospectively monitor patients in both outpatient and surgical settings.